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GRANDFATHER'S  LEGACY 


SAMUEL  MCKOON. 


a)id  (iOld  liare  I  )io>u\   but  snc/i  us  I  hart' 
give  I  //ice.—  Acts  III,  6. 


'  Intrepid  virtue  triumphs  over  fate  : 
The  good  can  never  be  unfortunate. 
And  be  this  maxim  graven  in  the  mind, 
The  height  of  virtue  is  to  serve  mankind." 

— GRAINGKK. 


-2.3 

6? 


///.s-  Children,    (,'randchHd/en,    (ircat  Grandchildren, 

's  and  \ieces,  these  lines  are  affectionately 
dedicated  by  the  author,  with  his  blessing. 


1)77597 


JTIHE  universe  is  a  vast  system 
|  Offerees  that  act  night  and  dny  ; 
And  the  soul  of  man  has  the  freedom 
Its  infinite  realms  to  survey. 
The  omnific  source  of  existence, 
In  boundless  efficience  arrayed, 
From  an  undiminishing  fulness 
Of  matter  existing  or  made. 
Educed  a  palpable  universe  ; 
But  how,  for  what  purpose  or  when, 
Are  questions  omniscience  can  answer, 
Not  demi-gods,  angels  nor  men. 
When  the  sovereign  Fiat  was  issued 
The  elements  doubtless  obeyed  it:   (i) 
The  world  is  a  manifestation 
Of  the  Great  Spirit  that  made  it.    (2) 
The  web  of  the  Cosmos  is  infinite, 
Limitless  in  its  dimension  : 
Its  icarp  encircles  immensity. 
Its  woof  of  equal  extension. 
Its  height  far  transcends  our  conception 
Unable  its  depths  to  explore, 

1 1 )  Psalms  33,  verse  9. 
(2)  Romans  ist,  verse  20. 


We  bow  reverentially  silent, 

Contemplate,  admire  and  adore. 

Some  say  that  the  planets  are  fragments, 

By  Chance  thrown  away  from  the  sun  : 

And  state  it  with  all  the  assurance 

They  would  were  they  present  when  done 

That  the  land  is  petrified  sunbeams, 

The  water  the  sweat  Nature  shed, 

When  toiling  to  heave  up  huge  mountains 

And  scoop  out  the  vast  ocean's  bed. 

If  Chance  constructed  the  Universe 

And  our  solar  system  projected ; 

And  performed  the  labor  so  deftly 

No  error  can  now  be  detected  ; 

With  mathematical  certainty 

Both  motion  and  distance  computed 

Then  Chance  is  a  geometrician 

With  power  and  skill  undisputed. 

He  that  inhabits  eternity,    (i) 

In  whom  we  exist,  live  and  move,    (2) 

And  who  is  the  essence  and  fountain 

Of  Justice,  of  Wisdom  and  Love, 

(1)  Isaiah  57,  verse  15. 

(2)  Acts  17,  verse  28. 


(6 


Permeates  and  vivifies  all  things  ; 

His  presence  is  felt  ever}' where  : 

The  blossoms  are  His  sense  of  beaut)', 

Ripe  fruits  are  the  hints  of  His  care. 

He  fosters  the  lily  and  sparrow   (i) 

And  numbers  the  hairs  of  our  head  :   (2) 

The  parental  God  of  all  living  ; 

And  is  not  the  God  of  the  dead.   (3) 

A  Being  without  circumference, 

Whose  center  is  even-where, 

In  the  sun,  the  stars  and  the  comets, 

The  planets  and  ambient  air, 

He  is  in  all  life  and  immanent 

In  creatures  of  every  grade  ; 

And  His  ubiquitous  energy 

Preserves  all  the  things  that  are  made. 

Volcanic  flames  are  His  ministers,    (4) 

Giving  vent  to  internal  fires ; 

The  craters  permanent  safety  valves 

For  use  as  occasion  requires. 

The  lightnings,  too,  are  His  ministers, 

(1)  Mat.  6,  verse  28;  Iytike  12,  verses  6  and  7. 

(2)  Luke  12,  verse  7. 

(3)  Mark  12,  verse  27. 

(4)  Heb.  i,  verse  7. 


: 


In  the  clouds,  above,  and  beneath  ; 

They  cleanse  the  air  of  impurities 

And  make  it  more  wholesome  to  breathe. 

The  tireless  winds  are  His  messengers, 

And  with  them,  when  under  control, 

We  voice  the  emotions  of  Friendship  ; 

And  music  entrances  the  soul. 

In  His  spacious  laboratory, 

Matter,  tried  by  fire  and  by  frost, 

Undergoes  many  transformations, 

Not  the  smallest  atom  is  lost. 

Ice  turns  into  water  and  vapor 

By  due  application  of  heat ; 

Grass  changes  to  hair,  wool  and  feathers 

By  different  animals  eat. 

The  dewdrop  that  forms  after  nightfall 

And  sleeps  on  the  violet's  breast, 

In  the  morning  was  part  of  the  ocean, 

A  stranger  to  quiet  and  rest. 

The  earth  is  the  Lord's  in  its  fulness ;   (i ) 

The  cattle  on  every  hill ; 

The  attraction  of  gravitation 

The  result  of  His  sovereign  will. 

(i;  Psalms  24,  verse  i. 

(8) 


All  souls  are  His  and  belong  to  Him,    ( i ) 

The  soul  of  the  father  and  son. 

And  though  mothers  their  nurslings  forget,    (2) 

He  never  forgets  anyone. 

Xo  man  hath  at  any  time  seen  Him  ;   (3) 

And  past  rinding  out  are  His  ways  ;    ("4) 

For  mourning  He  gives  oil  of  gladness,    (5) 

For  sadness  the  garments  of  praise  ; 

Distributes  alike  to  all  people 

His  impartial  sunshine  and  rain  ;   (6) 

Makes  even  the  wrath  of  man  praise  Him  ; 

The  remainder  He  will  restrain.    (7) 

And  of  Him,  and  through  Him,  and  to  Him, 

Are  all  things  below  and  above :  (8) 

God  over  all  blessed  forever, 

Unchangeable,  infinite  love.    (9) 

All  matter  that  is,  7^-as,  and  shall  bc\ 

Whatever  its  nature  or  name, 

And  however  changed  in  appearance, 

Its  essence  and  office  the  same. 

d)  Ezekiel  iS.  verse  4.  (6)  Matt.  5,  verse  45. 

(2)  Isaiah  49,  verse  15.  (7)  Psalm  76,  verse  10. 

lohii  i,  verse  18.  (8)  Kom.  n,  verse  36. 

(4)  Rom.  n,  verse  33.  (9)  I  John  4,  verse  16. 
(5     Isaiah  (Si,  verse  3. 


The  chemist  assays  earth}'  matter 

And  readily  finds  it  contains 

The  substance  of  all  vegetation 

And  also  of  muscle  and  brains  ; 

Finds  stones,  when  properly  pulverized, 

Make  suitable  soil  to  grow  wheat, 

Of  which  the  children  of  Abraham 

And  Isaac  and  Jacob  may  eat ;   (i) 

Finds  particles  tiny  declaring, 

Though  not  with  an  audible  voice, 

Their  strong  predilections,  attachments, 

Attractions,  repulsions  and  choice. 

He  can  make  diminutive  compounds 

Give  intonations  like  thunder  ; 

Find  power  in  a  gill  of  pure  water 

To  rend  Gibraltar  asunder : 

Proves  diamonds  are  crystalized  carbon, 

Evaporates  iron  and  steel, 

And  under  provided  conditions 

Spins  glass  which  he  winds  on  a  reel : 

With  his  alembic  and  crucible, 

Can  rarify,  scatter  or  melt 

Those  things  which  by  our  human  senses 

(i)  Matt.  3,  verse  9;  Luke  3,  verse  8. 

(10) 


Are  seen,  heard,  smelled,  tasted  or  felt : 

Finds  compounds  of  all  simple  bodies, 

In  their  elementary  state, 

Are  definite  in  their  proportions 

Of  relative  measure  or  weight ; 

And  learns,  in  reducing  those  compounds, 

To  bring  their  proportions  to  light ; 

They  part  in  numerical  ratios, 

And  will  in  no  other  unite ; 

And  is  not  surprised  that  a  poet, 

When  seeing  such  order  prevails, 

Asserts  hills  were  weighed  in  a  balance 

And  mountains  were  weighed  upon  scales,   (i) 

Ask  chemists  if  they  can  determine 

The  true  composition  of  mind, 

They  answer,  it  doubtless  is  matter, 

But  of  an  intangible  kind. 

Chemists  deal  with  tangible  matter, 

And  although  their  field  is  immense, 

It  is  limited  to  such  matter 

As  is  cognizable  to  sense. 

There  are  subjective  realities, 

To  our  intuitions  as  clear 

(i)  Isaiah  40,  verse  12. 


As  objects  we  touch  with  our  fingers, 

Or  sounds  we  detect  by  the  ear. 

We  think  their  base  electricity, 

Though  some  are  inclined  to  doubt  it ; 

One  fact  is  beyond  contradiction 

No  living  thing  is  without  it. 

Another  thing  we  should  remember 

And  give  it  legitimate  force, 

Life  and  mental  manifestations 

Have  the  same  original  source. 

All  sciences  tend  to  unity  ; 

And  facts  are  what  scientists  need  : 

Facts  teach  them  Theistic  Pantheism  ; 

And  that  is  the  sum  of  their  creed. 

They  do  not  think  nothing  made  some  tiling 

Without  the  utensils  to  make  it ; 

And  cannot  conceive  that  mere  nothing 

Had  motive  to  undertake  it. 

In  tracing  the  lines  of  causation, 

To  find  their  original  source, 

They  come  to  a  perfect  agreement, 

And  call  it  Intelligent  Force. 

They  care  not  what  name  others  give  it, 

To  them  it  is  the  Great  First  Cause. 


(12) 


Of  all  conceivable  entities 

That  governs  by  permanent  laws. 

That  Cause  they  reverence,  believing 

By  it  they  exist,  live  and  move  ; 

And  if  an  agnostic  should  ask  them 

That  Intelligent  Force  to  prove. 

They  answer,  things  are  proved  by  equals, 

A  part  does  not  equal  the  7^/iole; 

And  man  is,  in  his  highest  estate, 

But  part  of  the  Great  Oversold. 

Man  is  really  a  microcosm, 

A  world  in  himself  with  its  cares ; 

And  mind  as  much  a  reality 

As  is  the  gross  body  he  bears. 

Our  souls  may  be  electricity, 

Divinely  directed  and  taught 

To  use  the  brain  as  an  instrument 

To  manufacture  normal  thought. 

Normal  thought  is  a  sedation , 

With  sensation  it  commences  ; 

But  abnormal  thoughts  and  ideas 

Come  through  no  gate  of  the  senses. 

For  proof  consult  not  the  oracles 

Of  Judea,  Athens  or  Rome, 


But  the  mental  manifestations 

Of  such  men  as  Bishop  and  Home. 

Soul  material  is  plentiful, 

And  is  not  restricted  to  place, 

And  is  in  all  probability 

Diffused  throughout  infinite  space. 

And  what  is  held  in  the  atmosphere, 

Revivifies  life  and  saves  it, 

And  every  fresh  inspiration 

Is  food  for  the  soul  that  craves  it. 

The  things  once  cherished  in  memory 

Belong  to  the  soul  forever, 

Though  sometimes  escaping  consciousness, 

Are  annihilated  never. 

Thoughts  that  please,  are  by  the  soul  cherished . 

Are  nurtured,  matured  and  combined, 

And  in  that  condition  constitute 

What  linguists  denominate  mind. 

Mind  is  the  moral  part  of  the  soul, 

And  is  the  accountable  part, 

And  comprehends  all  our  affections, 

Which  many  ascribe  to  the  heart. 

The  student  of  physiology 

Well  knows  that  the  lungs  and  the  heart, 


04) 


Each  in  the  order  of  nature, 

Performs  its  determinate  part. 

Their  mechanism,  truly  wonderful, 

Is  wrought  with  most  exquisite  skill, 

And  they  act  their  parts  emotionless, 

Without  the  control  of  the  will. 

The  lungs  are  a  self-acting  bellows, 

And  life  is  preserved  by  their  means  ; 

The  heart  is  a  pump  automatic, 

And  both  heart  and  lungs  are  machines. 

Souls  can-not  be  weighed  in  balances, 

Nor  measured  by  rule  nor  by  chain ; 

Yet  they  are  positive  entities, 

And  as  such  shall  ever  remain. 

Our  bodies  consist  of  particles, 

Which  constantly  change,  pass  away: 

Our  souls  are  made  of  material 

Not  subject  to  loss  nor  decay. 

And  if  our  physical  bodies 

Emotions  of  gratitude  raise. 

Our  souls  demand  songs  of  thanksgiving, 

In  rapturous  peans  of  praise. 

Astronomers  with  their  telescopes, 

Pierce  into  the  regions  of  space  ; 


And  the  paths  of  the  heavenly  bodies, 

With  careful  exactitude  trace  ; 

And  say  that  from  monads  to  mountains, 

From  mountains  to  planets  and  spheres, 

From  spheres  to  vast  systems  on  systems, 

Harmonious  order  appears. 

That  order  is  surely  a  postulate, 

Suggesting  a  mind  and  a  will, 

And  blind  chance  could  not  engineer  things 

With  such  mathematical  skill. 

The  botanist,  in  his  department, 

Sees  lichens,  and  mosses,  and  vines 

Are  not  very  distant  relations 

Of  baobabs,  banyans  and  pines  : 

That  some  plants  will  not  live  in  water 

And  others  will  not  on  dry  land ; 

That  calamus  covets  the  quagmire, 

And  cactus  the  dry  desert  sand. 

Plants,  to  some  animals  poisonous, 

Are  healthful  to  others  when  fed  ; 

Cassava  root,  green,  to  man  baleful, 

When  dried,  it  makes  excellent  bread. 

Vegetables  live  on  minerals  ; 

And  thev  in  turn  animals  feed  : 


(16) 


Some  increase  by  fissiparation, 

And  others  grow  only  from  seed. 

Seeds  postulate  both  male  and  female, 

But  plants  do  not  commonly  pair  : 

Some  are  fertilized  by  the  insects 

And  others  by  currents  of  air. 

Some  plants  to  continue  their  species 

Are  to  marriage  union  inclined  ; 

The  Vallisneria  Spiralis  * 

Convinces  the  skeptical  mind. 

Priest  Aaron's  rod  budded  and  blossomed,  (i) 

The  life  was  retained  in  the  wood, 

Its  growth  was  a  natural  process 

By  botanists  well  understood. 

I  write  near  a  large  spreading  willow, 

A  staff  once  a  pilgrim  forgot 

While  quenching  his  thirst  at  a  fountain 

That  flowed  from  the  ground  near  the  spot. 

The  botanist  cannot  discover 

(They  having  no  will  to  control) 

Why  the  hop  vine  and  the  kidney  bean 

Climb  opposite  ways  round  a  pole. 

Plants  grow  from  without  by  accretion, 

*  See  Wood's  Book  of  Nature, 
i  j )  Numbers  j  7,  verse  8. 

(17) 


With  their  sprouting  rostels  begin  ; 
While  animals  grow  by  nutrition 
From  food  that  is  taken  within. 
Books  teaching  natural  history 
Most  carefully  read  and  digest, 
Though  claiming  no  high  inspiration 
They  rank  with  the  highest  and  best. 
They  teach  that  all  sentient  creatures 
Are  formed  on  a  general  plan, 
And  rise  in  apparent  gradations 
From  zoophytes  upward  to  man. 
Of  birds,  beasts,  fishes  and  insects 
That  crawl,  walk,  run,  hop,  swim  or  fly 
Some  enjoy  life  for  five  hundred  years, 
Others  live  a  day,  and  then  die. 
Some  animals  dried  with  precaution 
Regarding  their  preservation, 
After  being  dried  full  twenty  years 
Are  restored  to  animation. 
Animate  nature  is  regarded 
As  a  complete  unbroken  chain, 
And  most  of  the  links  are  visible, 
A  few  undiscovered  remain. 
Mankind  are  materialized  spirits, 

(18) 


Are  triple  faced  unities,  true. 

Their  bodies,  the  houses  they  live  in, 

Themselves,  as  they  think  and  they  do. 

All  men,  of  all  races  and  nations, 

Whoever,  wherever  they  be, 

Are  possessed  of  similar  faculties 

That  differ  alone  in  degree. 

As  face  answers  to  face  in  water,    (i) 

So  do  men's  hearts  to  each  other, 

And  whatever  be  his  condition 

Each  man  is  surely  your  brother. 

Some  persons  are  very  clairvoyant 

And  see  midst  the  darkness  of  night ; 

And  others  are  so  clairaudient 

The}'  hear  the  soft  music  of  light. 

Somnambulists,  walking  in  darkness, 

Can  frequently  see  where  they  go: 

Clairvoyants  writh  eyes  sealed  and  bandaged 

Can  read,  write,  paint  pictures  and  sew. 

Then  is  it  not  more  than  probable 

That  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  was  right 

When  he  said  ' '  if  thine  eye  be  single 

The  whole  body  is  full  of  light  "  ?   (2) 

1 i)  Prov.  27,  verse  19. 

(2)  Matt.  6,  verse  22. 

(19) 


The  eyes  as  our  organs  of  vision 

Are  useful,  that  no  one  denies  ; 

But  it  is  the  spirit  within  us 

That  sees  through  and  not  with  the  eyes. 

Two  births  are  natural  processes 

Through  which  human  beings  must  pass, 

After  which  the  spirit  sees  clearly, 

Not  darkly  as  seeing  through  glass.    (2) 

The  birth  of  the  body  from  water 

Occurs  with  our  earliest  breath, 

The  actual  birth  of  the  spirit 

Is  what  we  denominate  death. 

The  change  we  call  death  is  transition, 

Whatever  its  proximate  cause, 

A  process  in  perfect  accordance 

With  God's  most  beneficent  laws. 

To  die  is  a  boon,  a  great  favor, 

By  a  gracious  parent  bestowed, 

A  passport  admitting  His  children 

To  a  higher,  better  abode. 

If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again  ?   (3) 

The  gravest  question  of  ages, 

(1)  John  3,  verse  7. 

(2)  I  Cor.  13,  verse  12. 

(3)  Job  14,  verse  14. 

(20) 


Has  received  a  positive  answer 

From  mediums,  seers  and  sages. 

The  cereals  die  but  to  live  again,   (i) 

Then  why  not  man  that  has  breath  ? 

Annihilation  ?     Impossible  ; 

There  can  be  no  absolute  death. 

Many  years  of  memory's  record, 

Most  carefully  scanned  and  reviewed, 

Show  continuous  mental  sameness; 

My  body  has  oft  been  renewed. 

That  mind  retains  its  identity, 

Is  ample  assurance  to  me ; 

That  whatever  change  may  await  me, 

Myself  shall  continue  to  be. 

The  soul's  irrepressible  longings, 

Which  no  present  joys  can  appease  ; 

Hope,  which  survives  all  disappointments, 

And  in  our  pains  promises  ease  ; 

Our  highest  and  best  intuitions  •• 

Induce  us  the  truth  to  discern, 

That  lamps  that  are  fed  by  God's  spirit 

Are  destined  forever  to  burn. 

If  doubts  of  your  imortality 

(i)  I  Cor.  15,  verses  36  and  37. 

(21) 


Still  linger,  to  darken  the  view, 

Do  the  will  of  our  Father  in  heaven 

And  know  that  the  doctrine  is  true,   (i) 

Numerous  ministering  .spirits 

Are  near  us  by  night  and  by  da}7; 

Clairvoyants  can  frequently  see  them, 

Clairaudients  hear  what  they  say. 

They  appear  to  the  young  in  bright  visions  (2) 

Of  inexpressible  beauty, 

And  with  holy  motives,  incite  them 

To  perseverance  in  duty. 

The  old  in  their  dreams,  see  the  city 

Which  built  by  the  Ancient  of  Days  (3) 

Has  walls  of  eternal  salvation 

And  gates  of  perennial  praise  :   (4) 

View  the  house  by  Wisdom  erected,    (5) 

Which  on  its  seven  hewn  pillars  stands, 

Its  foundation,  justice  and  judgment, 

The  house  that  is  not  made  with  hands.   (6) 

In  that  house  are  numerous  mansions    (7) 

Apartments  for  all  of  the  race, 

(1)  John  7,  verse  17.  (5)  Prov.  9,  verse  i. 

(2)  Joel  2,  verse  28;  Acts  2,  verse  17.  (6)  II  Cor.  5,  verse  i. 

(3)  Dan.  7,  verse  9;  i3th  c.,  verse  22.  (7)  John  14,  verse  2. 

(4)  Isaiah  60,  verse  18. 

(22) 


Let  not  your  hearts  therefore  be  troubled  (i) 

For  each  one  shall  go  to  his  place. 

His  place  is  the  state  or  condition 

Which  he  has  prepared  by  his  deeds, 

Ignoring  dogmatic  opinions, 

Professions  and  popular  creeds. 

We  shall  not  all  sleep  for  a  moment,    (2) 

But  in  the  twinkle  of  an  eye 

Mortal  puts  on  immortality, 

And  the  released  spirit  shall  fly 

Before  that  impartial  taibunal, 

Where  none  other  merits  can  plead, 

Good  works  and  personal  purity 

Are  all  the  protection  we  need. 

Good  deeds  are  the  proper  credentials 

To  present  in  that  \vorld  from  this, 

And  scaffolds  are  not  fit  stepping-stones 

To  enter  the  mansions  of  bliss. 

Your  ancestors,  Luther  and  Williams, 

Displayed  independence  of  thought  ; 

And  you,  their  descendants,  should  profit 

By  the  noble  lessons  they  taught. 

And  learn  each  one  is  responsible 

(1)  John  14,  verse  i. 

(2)  I  Cor.  15,  verses  51  and  52. 

(23) 


For  his  own  salvation  at  least, 

And  requires  not  the  aid  of  a  pope, 

A  cardinal,  bishop  or  priest. 

Each  man  should  be  priest  in  his  own  house, 

Commit  to  the  Lord  all  his  ways,   (o) 

With  unceasing  prayer  and  thanksgiving, 

And  Constant  rejoicing  and  praise,   (i) 

The  path  of  the  just  shining  brightly,   (2) 

Shines  brighter  until  perfect  day 

Bursts  on  the  rapt  vision  of  pilgrims 

That  walk  the  delectable  way: 

The  way  never  seen  by  the  vulture,   (3) 

And  never  by  young  lions  trod  ; 

It  is  the  highway  of  holiness 

That  leads  up  directly  to  God. 

A  just  person  many  times  falleth  (4) 

But  not  out  of  reach  of  God's  grace  ; 

The  law  of  the  Lord  which  is  perfect 

Restores  a  just  soul  to  its  place.    (5) 

A  just  person  needs  no  repentance,    (6) 

(0)  Psalm  37,  verse  5;  Proverbs  16,  verse  3. 

(1)  Thes.  5,  verses  16,  17,  18. 

(2)  Prov.  4,  verse  18;  Job  25,  verses  7,  8;  Isaiah  33,  verses  S,  9,  10. 

(3)  Isaiah  35,  verses  8,  9.          (5)  Psalm  19,  verse  7. 

(4)  Proverbs  24,  verse  16          (i)  Luke  15,  verse  7. 


(24) 


The  whole  need  not  a  physician;  (i) 
The  only  way  to  be  saved  from  sin 
Is  to  avoid  its  commission. 
Man  being  part  of  a  universe 
Pervaded  by  permanent  laws, 
If  he  commit  sin  he  shall  suffer, 
As  sure  as  effect  follows  cause. 
Let  each  upon  memory's  tablet 
Have  this  truthful  maxim  engraved, 
Whosoever  walketh  uprightly 
Shall  be  everlastingly  saved.   (2) 
Our  consciousness  proves  our  existence, 
To  realize  it  compels  us ; 
Intuition,  daughter  of  spirit, 
Confirms  what  consciousness  tells  us. 
Inspiration  gives  understanding,    (3) 
Perception  and  sense  truths  reveal, 
And  from  their  united  decision 
'Tis  useless  to  make  an  appeal. 
No  cabala  written  on  parchment. 
Nor  precepts  engraved  upon  stone, 
Have  any  binding  authority 

(I)  Matt.  9,  verse  12. 

(2^  Prov.  28,  verse  18. 

Job  32,  verse  S. 

(25- 


If  they  divine  reason  dethrone. 

That  some  truths  transcend  human  reason 

God  enables  man  to  perceive ; 

But  what  is  repugnant  to  reason 

He  requires  no  one  to  believe. 

Man  is,  but  is  he  permitted 

To  will  or  to  act  as  he  please? 

Or  does  fate  sport  with  his  destiny 

And  bind  with  unyielding  decrees  ? 

If  motives  control  human  actions, 

Persistently  govern  the  scale, 

Free  will  dominates  their  selection, 

And  chooses  the  ones  that  prevail. 

Man  having  the  freedom  of  choosing, 

When  erring  is  a  transgressor, 

If  otherwise,  then  a  man's  conscience, 

Untrue,  deceives  its  possessor. 

Man's  conscience,  if  duly  instructed, 

Will  aid  him  to  walk  in  the  light  ; 

And  it  is  the  true  rule  of  action, 

If  not  the  complete  rule  of  right. 

Take  the  path  then  which  conscience  directs  you. 

Pursue  it  and  never  forsake  it, 

You  shall  certainly  reap  what  you  sow,   (i) 

(i)  Galatians  6,  verse  7. 

(26) 


Your  fate  shall  be  what  you  make  it. 

To  learn  what  is  right  and  to  do  it, 

Acquire  all  of  goodness  he  can, 

To  hate  what  is  evil  and  shun  it, 

Comprise  the  chief  duty  of  man. 

Duty  done,  if  you  will  be  perfect, 

You  have  a  plain  course  to  pursue, 

Do  all  things  whatever  to  others 

Which  you  would  have  them  do  to  you.   (i) 

Do  justly,  love  mercy,  walk  humbly,   (2) 

And  from  your  soul  be  forgiving,   (3) 

Thus  make  your  own  heaven  within  you, 

The  sure  effect  of  right  living. 

The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  within  you  :   (4) 

It  is  not  a  place,  but  a  state, 

Of  righteousness,  peace  and  enjoyment, 

Which  each  for  himself  can  create. 

Then  work  out  your  own  soul's  salvation,   15) 

For  this  you  are  able  to  do ; 

Good  angels  are  ready  to  aid  you, 

If  you  the  right  course  will  pursue. 

Having  sinned,  repent,  be  converted, 

1 1 )  Matt.  7,  verse  12.  (4)  Luke  17,  verse  21. 

(2)  Micah  6,  verse  8.  (5)  Phil.  2,  verse  12. 

(3)  Matt.  6,  verse  14. 

(27) 


And  as  you  then  know  good  from  ill, 

Press  forward,  go  on  to  perfection, 

By  keeping  a  sanctified  will. 

If  you  would  serve  God  acceptably, 

In  serving  Him  make  no  mistake, 

Then  serve  your  fellow  men  faithfully, 

Serve  them  for  humanity's  sake. 

Whoever  does  right  from  right  motives, 

Abounding  in  labors  of  love, 

Shall  be  heir  of  God's  peace  here  below, 

And  joint  heir  with  Jesus  above,   (i) 

Touch  not  the  cup  that  intoxicates, 

By  whomsoever  presented; 

It  contains  no  good  to  commend  it, 

Distilled,  or  brewed,  or  fermented; 

And  evil,  and  nothing  but  evil, 

Has  flowed  from  its  use  in  the  past; 

It  surely  will  bite  like  a  serpent,    (2) 

And  sting  like  an  adder  at  last. 

True  love  is  a  guardian  angel, 

Is  delicate,  gentle  and  pure; 

And  bears  writh  compassionate  kindness 

(1)  Rom.  8,  verse  17. 

(2)  Proverbs  23,  verse  32. 


(28) 


The  evils  it  gladly  would  cure. 
But  lust  is  a  demon  incarnate; 
Inhale  not  its  poisonous  breath. 
Its  tiniest  touch  is  pollution, 
Its  willing  embrace  moral  death. 
Love  is  represented  blindfolded, 
A  hint  to  all  youths  to  be  wise 
In  seeking  companions  in  wedlock, 
And  choose  by  the  cars,  not  the  eyes. 
From  conjugal  love  springs  maternal, 
Paternal  then  surely  is  near, 
When  filial  is  joined  by  fraternal 
Domestic  and  social  appear. 
A  home  and  a  family  founded 
Where  all  human  virtues  abound, 
Foretell  that  terrestrial  blessings 
Shall  soon  by  celestial  be  crowned. 
Attention  to  prenatal  culture, 
In  early  connubial  life. 
Is  an  indispensable  duty 
Devolved  upon  husband  and  wife. 
If  wise  you  will  heed  this  injunction, 
And  never  through  ignorance  cause 
Nor  allow  the  slightest  infraction 

(29) 


Of  gestation's  delicate  laws. 

Mankind  should  be  taught  in  their  childhood 

That  truth  is  of  infinite  worth, 

And  sciences  are  the  avenues 

That  lead  to  her  temple  on  earth. 

The  fossil  Tradition  is  headless, 

While  blind  Superstition  has  seven, 

And  ten  horns  to  gore  those  unwilling 

To  tread  his  dark  pathway  to  heaven. 

Then  study  the  volume  of  Nature, 

Its  lessons  are  free  of  expense; 

It  contains  no  interpolations 

Nor  glosses  obscuring  the  sense. 

It  is  the  free  gift  of  a  Father 

Who  knew  what  his  children  would  need; 

Its  interpretation  is  easy, 

And  whoever  runneth  may  read. 

Some  books  require  interpretation, 

Some  men  misinterpret  for  pelf; 

But  God  is  his  own  interpreter, 

Simple  truth  interprets  itself. 

Philosophy,  heaven  born,  clear  sighted, 

Has  genuine  Reason  for  a  bride; 

And  both  are  true  friends  to  Religion, 


And  to  her  are  closely  allied. 

And  'tis  clear  as  the  sun  at  noontide. 

So  perfect  is  their  alliance — 

There  can  be  no  actual  conflict 

Between  Religion  and  Science. 

Religion,  indeed,  is  a  science, 

Of  sciences  noblest  and  best; 

It  draws  its  support  from  a  fountain 

That  purifies,  hallows  the  rest. 

Her  ways  are  the  ways  of  pleasantness, 

All  her  paths  are  peace  and  delight; 

A  science  whose  service  is  freedom, 

The  science  of  living  aright. 

It  prompts  visitations  to  widows  (i) 

And  orphans  to  furnish  relief, 

And  with  heartfelt  commisseratioii 

Condoles  and  assuages  their  grief. 

It  binds  up  the  hearts  that  are  broken 

And  sees  that  the  naked  are  clad, 

Gives  food  to  the  hungry  with  pleasure, 

And  makes  the  disconsolate  glad:   (2) 

It  visits  the  erring  in  prison, 

The  sick  on  their  couches  of  pain, 

1 1  JamL-s  I,  verse  27.  12)  Matt.  25,  verses  35,  36. 


And  proves  by  a  happy  experience 
That  love  never  labors  in  vain. 
The  gift  of  discerning  or  seeing 
The  spirits  of  friends  passed  away, 
Asserted  by  Paul  the  Apostle 
As  being  well  known  in  his  day, 
Is  now  bestowed  upon  multitudes, 
And  is  not  confined  to  one  place, 
But  manifested  by  mediums 
Of  every  nation  and  race. 
This  gift,  which  above  all  other  gifts 
Demands  our  praise  to  the  Giver, 
Sees  a  permanent,  natural  bridge 
That  spans  death's  much  dreaded  river. 
A  skilled  telegraph  operator, 
By  manipulating  some  keys, 
Sends  messages  promptly  and  safely 
Beyond  distant  rivers  and  seas; 
Then  why  not  the  pens  of  mediums, 
When  under  full  spirit  control, 
Respond  to  the  fingers  of  angels 
That  touch  the  keynotes  of  their  soul  ? 
Intelligent  sentences  written 
At  midday  by  beings  unseen, 

(32) 


Inside  of  locked  slates  held  by  skeptics, 

With  naught  but  a  pencil  between, 

Convince  truly  honest  inquirers 

If  they  are  both  candid  and  sane; 

There  is  an  intelligent  power 

Outside  of  man's  bod)*  or  brain. 

This  thing  is  not  done  in  a  corner, 

The  world  is  invited  to  view; 

The  fact  is  incontrovertible, 

For  it  is  demonstrably  true. 

Theologians  and  scientists 

Who  have  such  plain  facts  before  them. 

As  teachers  and  guides  of  the  people, 

Cannot  with  credit  ignore  them. 

Agnostics  may  quibble  and  cavil, 

And  throw  all  their  doubts  in  the  scale; 

And  error  may  writhe;   truth  is  mighty 

And  shall  ultimately  prevail. 

Faith,  hope  and  love  are  the  priceless  three 

Whose  union  death  shall  not  sever; 

They  abide,  and  they  shall  continue 

A  living  triad  forever. 

Faith  thrives  on  the  truths  it  embraces, 

Fresh  hopes  from  fruition  arise, 


And  love  having  God  for  its  author, 

And  filled  with  His  life,  never  dies. 

When  faith  has  attained  full  assurance, 

By  hearing,  and  feeling,  and  sight, 

Hope  anchored  in  love  enjoys  visions 

In  living  ethereal  light. 

The  soul  overjoyed  with  the  knowledge 

That  those  supposed  dead  live  again, 

Sings  glory  to  God  in  the  highest, 

And  shouts  Hallelujah,  Amen! 

Since  age  has  changed  smiles  into  wrinkles, 

Dulled  hearing  and  dimmed  earthly  sight, 

The  spirit  within  me  is  quickened 

And  seeks  unapproachable  light. 

The  gates  now  ajar  will  soon  open, 

The  glories  reserved  greet  my  eyes, 

Azrael,  the  angel  of  freedom, 

Release  and  admit  to  the  skies. 


(34) 


An  Instructive  Lesson  from  the   I  'olione 
of  \atui-e 


*     *     * 


rHHE  butterfly's  wings  in  the  worm  are  concealed 

|  In  chysalis  lying  unheeded, 
Through  new  birth  to  a  higher  life  are  revealed 
The  uses  for  which  they  are  needed; 
Then  using  its  wings  it  instinctive!}'  flies 
And  visits  the  gardens  and  bowers, 
No  longer  confined  to  the  ground  for  supplies, 
It  feeds  on  the  nectar  of  flowers. 
Thus  man  should  complacently  anticipate 
His  destined  and  happy  transition, 
With  spirit  by  discipline  duly  prepared 
Beginning  his  angelic  mission; 
Revisiting  earth  upon  errands  of  love: 
Pursuing  the  pleasing  vocation 
Of  ministering  gently  and  kindly  to  those 
Who  shall  be  the  heirs  of  salvation.* 
Then  hail  !  blessed  revenants,  legates  of  heaven; 
And  banished  be  doubts  and  complaints  ! 
You  indicate  future  progression  to  man, 
And  prove  the  communion  of  saints. 
All  tears  of  contrition  by  penitents  shed. 
Bewailing  departure  from  right. 
Shall  change  into  luminous  jewels  to  deck 
The  robes  of  the  children  of  light; 
And  tears  of  compassionate  sympathy  poured 
From  founts  consecrated  by  love, 
Transmuted  to  diamonds  celestially  pure, 
Adorn  the  blest  mansion  above. 


Fit-brews  i,  verse  14. 


Our  ingress  to  life  is  naked  and  bare, 
Our  progress  through  life  is  labor  and  care, 
Our  egress  from  life  is  no  one  knows  where; 
If  we  do  well  here  'twill  be  well  with  us  there: 
I  can't    preach  you  more  truth    if  I  preach  a 
year."  —Dean  Swift. 


(38) 


ingress  to  earth-lite  is  helpless  and  bare, 
progress  through   it  is  encumbered  with 

care  ; 

Lest  we  digress  from  the  right  we  should  beware, 
For  things  which  in  outward  appearance  are  fair 
Are  often  deceptive,  and  sometimes  a  snare, 
And  trap  the  incautious  before  they're  aware. 
As  each  one  his  self-imposed  burden  should  bear, 
So  those  who  transgress    must  the  consequence 

share, 

For  justice  ne'er  varies  the  breadth  of  a  hair. 
As  regress  is  possible,  do  not  despair, 
Revenants  from  the  home  of  spirits  declare 
Our  mistakes  made  here  maybe  rectified  there; 
That  pardoning  mercy  is  free  as  the  air, 
That  God  ever  listens  to  penitent  prayer 
And  readily  answers  it  everywhere. 
And  Wisdom  exclaims  for  your  egress  prepare, 
Repent  and  reform,  to  do  right  always  dare; 
What  sin  has  disordered  good  deeds  may  repair; 
Of  life  everlasting  each  soul  is  an  heir. 
In  our  Father's  house  is  enough  and  to  spare; 
And  if  we  the  white  robes  of  righteousness  wear, 
Ambrosia  and  nectar  shall  then  be  our  fare, 
And  nothing  be  able  our  bliss  to  impair. 
(39) 


f  iC)HILE  friends  at  this  annual  greeting 
v  V  Are  pledging  their  friendships  anew 
I  take  at  this  ninetieth  milestone 
Of  my  life  a  hasty  review. 

I  have  had  many  disappointments, 
Have  had  heavy  burdens  tc  bear, 
Yet  hope  has  persistently  buoyed  me 
Above  the  dark  rocks  of  despair. 

Though  my  path  has  often  been  darkened, 
My  mistakes  and  errors  been  rife, 
Goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  me 
Throughout  all  the  days  of  my  life. 

To  Him  who  has  graciously  kept  me, 

And  given  me  fullness  of  days, 

Be  glory  and  honor  forever  — 

Let  all  that  have  breath  sound  His  praise. 

'Tis  a  joy  to  live  in  this  climate,  ***». 

Partaking  its  luxuries  rare,  *  *  *$•} 

To  feast  oh  its  fruits  so 


And  breathe  its  salubrious  aitr 


(42) 


But  there,  is  the  law  of  progression, 
And  it  should  be  gladly  obeyed, 
For  when  we  leave  earth  we  shall  enter 
A  school  of  a  different  grade. 

God  never  intended  his  children 
Should  always  remain  upon  earth 
Attached  to  corruptible  bodies, 
He  therefore  gives  each  a  new  birth. 

I  know  my  transition  approaches, 
But  let  it  come  early  or  late, 
From  San  Diego  to  Paradise, 
The  change  will  not  be  very  great. 

FANITA  RANCHO,  CALIFORNIA,  September  27,  1892. 


(43) 


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